Todd stares lovingly at his sleeping wife. He can't really believe he is here with her. The long journey together that began as a business deal so long ago had reached a new level last night, one he had wanted to reach with her for as long as he could remember, although he kept that fact well hidden behind his self imposed brick wall. But she had scaled the wall, and it occurred to him that he had done the same for her.
And now....there were no secrets....and they had their whole lives ahead of them.
He grinns as she snuggles closer to him. He has been awake for a couple of hours....although he slept more than he used to...sleep still seemed to be somewhat of a foreign concept to him. But it was getting better...he was getting better. He begins to get impatient simply watching her sleep. Todd gently lifts the covers, and leans down to kiss her shoulder. He trails soft kisses over her breast and down to her soft stomach. Tea stirs slightly at the touch of his lips, but remains in a contented sleep. He gently places soft, warm kisses over every inch of her stomach, enjoying the feeling of her warm skin against his lips. He hears a soft drowsy moan escape Tea's lips.
"You keep waking me up like that, you may just turn me into a morning person," Tea says in a sleepy voice, tinged with laughter. Tea feels his lips turn up in a grin against her stomach. Todd moves up and gently covers her lips with his.
"Didn't mean to wake you," he says with a playful grin. Tea laughs, "Oh really?"
They stare into each others eyes, and a sudden awkwardness hits them both, the magnitude of what happened between them suddenly a big revelation.
Todd props his head up on his elbow and stares down at Tea, gently twirling her hair around his finger.
"So....uh...you okay?" he asks nervously.
Tea smiles, "Yeah, better than okay. You?" she replies softly.
"Sure Delgado," he says, feeling relieved.
His eyes fall to her lips, and he leans down to kiss her. She responds eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck. Suddenly, Tea hears a ring.
"Mmm.. what is that?" she says, as Todd kisses her neck.
"Nothing," he says, never lifting his head away from her.
"Sounds like a phone," she says, barely able to maintain her composure at the feeling of Todd's lips travelling down her neck.
"We don't have a phone yet."
"You're cell phone?"
"Ignore it," Todd mumbles, his lips moving slowly, torturously over her shoulder.
"Todd....I hate it...but it might be important," she says softly, her mind drifting to her brother.
Todd looks at her, knowing what she is thinking. He wordlessly reaches over and grabs his jacket that is on the floor. He reaches in and pulls out his ringing cell phone.
"What!" he barks, annoyed at the interruption, "Viki....yeah....no, she's with me.....oh......ummm...okay, no I'll tell her...thanks."
Tea watches him closely during the conversation, and notices the worried look that crosses his face.
"What's wrong?"
"Uh, Tea, that was Viki," he pauses, not sure how to tell her, "There was another attack on Jose last night."
Tea bolts upright, tears springing to her eyes. "Dios mio! Is he alright?"
"Well, he's in a coma, from what Viki said. I guess Del and Roseanne tried to find you last night, and Carlotta went to Viki cause she figured you'd be with me," he looks at her, feeling somewhat guilty at taking her from her brother's side, "Look, Delgado, I'm sorry, you know....I shouldn't have taken you away from him last night..."
But Tea cuts him off, "Don't you dare apologize for last night Todd Manning! I wouldn't trade what happened between us last night for anything!" she pauses, "You don't regret it, do you?"
"No, no....of course not."
"Todd, that attack on Jose probably would have happened even if I had been there....but I should go now," she says, leaning over to kiss him. She starts to get up when he gently grabs her arm.
"Look Delgado, I just want to....I love you....I'm not saying I'm gonna be good at all this, but I will try....and I will do everything in my power not to hurt you again."
Tea smiles gently, "Todd, we both made mistakes...we hurt each other. I don't know how I'll be at this either....but I trust you...and I love you....and we'll figure out the rest as we go."

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"Senor Coronado?"
"Si."
"I have news."
"Is Delgado taken care of?"
"He is in a coma...he won't be talking anytime soon. However, something else has come up."
"What?"
"His brother, the Fed."
"Delmonico Delgado."
"Si, senor, he is sniffing around....and angry....determined to uncover what is going on."
"You must not let him."
"Your suggestion, senor?"
"Do not kill him, killing a Fed is not what I have in mind...at least not yet....you just make sure he knows to stay away from this case. What about the girl?"
"The sister?"
"Si, has she been any trouble?"
"Not yet, she's not prosecuting the case, but I'm sure she will be sniffing as well, and from what I have seen, the Delgados are very protective of each other."
"Well, you just make sure they understand....you keep them away from this....they are dangerous....to us...to my business....and I will not let them destroy it!" Miguel Coronado slams down the phone. Who would have thought a two bit criminal like Jose Delgado would bring him so much trouble?

***********************************************************************

Tea leaves the hospital and walks to her car. Todd had dropped her off at the Palace to get more things and her own car before going to therapy. She takes out her cell phone and dials his number.
"Yeah?"
Tea smiles at the typical Todd greeting. "Hi."
"Oh, hey, how's your brother?"
Tea's eyes fill with tears. "Not good, he's still in a coma."
"I'm sorry Delgado."
"Thanks, where are you?"
"At home."
Tea smiles. That sounded nice. "Well, listen, I'm on my way. I'll pick up some dinner and see you in a little while."
"Whatever."
Out of nowhere, Tea bursts out laughing.
"What?" Todd asks, confused.
"Oh my God, we sound like....like such a couple!" she says, laughing.
On the other end of the phone, Todd grins.
"Yeah, Delgado, who would have thought that!"
They agree on dinner and Tea hangs up the phone. She gets into the car, smiling to herself, the thoughts of the many nights ahead with Todd filling her with happiness....